Dew claws

[Julie]

Does anyone know if it is better when breeders leave or remove the dew claws on the puppies? Some sites have said yes and others say no. Is there a benefit to keeping them?

[F, Calla & Luca]

There are definite benefits. The dew claws help dogs grip on turning while running. They also help dogs hold objects they are chewing. On occasion a dew claw gets injured and may need removal but I wouldn¡t do it prophylactically. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have a labradoodle that had her dew claws removed shortly after birth and two that still have theirs--I see no difference in their behaviors or their abilities. Luckily, my two with dew claws have not had any injuries, but I have heard that they do get caught on things--also if they are not trimmed regularly, sometimes they grow in a circular fashion (and form a "cheerios" shape) making it hard to get a clipper inside to trim them-- and they can even grow right back to the leg and irritate it.  But, regular nail clipping when grooming will take care of that.

[Stella]

Dew claws are basically your dogs thumb, they are used for holding and manipulating objects as well as gripping the ground when turning or decelerating. Without dew claws there is a risk of developing increased arthritis in the carpus (wrist), or potentially developing a shoulder injury. The problematic dew claws tend to be the floppy dew claw seen in breeds that have a double dew claw. 

http://www.caninesports.com/uploads/1/5/3/1/15319800/dewclawexplana...

[Barbara, Zoey and Zeke]

For me, this is one of those things I would never consider doing.  This also includes docking tails and ears.  Declawing cats is on the list too.  I know people have their reasons for doing these things like breed specificity, but it seems unnatural and unnecessary to me.